ABSTRACT
The work of a neurologist consists of the diagnosis and treatment of a daunting array of disorders in a system of inconceivable complexity. Nevertheless, a systematic clinical approach, a working knowledge of common neurological conditions, and an informed, hypothesis-driven deployment of a few powerful investigations make the work not only possible but also enjoyable. This chapter begins by outlining a system for gathering relevant information from a patient so that a diagnostic problem can be formulated simply. It then discusses the disease processes that commonly give rise to these problems and how test results can help to distinguish between them. The chapter concludes with an outline of the principles of treatment of the common neurological conditions.
